OREANDA-NEWS. September 09, 2014. NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and Gutermann AG, a Switzerland-based global leader in advanced leak detection technologies, today commenced global sales of the NEC Water Leakage Detection Solution, which uses cutting-edge big data collection and analysis technologies to quickly and accurately detect leaks in water supply systems.

The solution will first be available in some of the world's largest markets, including Japan, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

This solution uses large numbers of ZONESCAN sensors (also called "loggers") which record and transmit vast amounts of data (big data) on minute vibrations and sounds from leaks in water supply pipes to a cloud-based system, where this data is automatically analyzed, allowing for the quick and precise identification and location of water leaks (within the range of approximately one meter) and their display on user-friendly screens.

In October 2012, NEC reached an agreement to partner in the area of smart water management with Gutermann and its world-class acoustic leak detection technology. This new solution is a result of the cooperative use of technologies and expertise between both companies in accordance with the agreement.

Primary features of this solution include Gutermann's correlating ZONESCAN loggers, which are up to 30 times more sensitive than conventional noise loggers and can be attached to the metal fittings inside manholes using the powerful magnets built in to the sensors. This enables the daily accumulation of real noise data from pipes as well as its analysis using sophisticated correlation algorithms. Furthermore, this improves the filtering capabilities of the system, increases sensitivity by a factor of three and helps to eliminate false alarms. These features, combined with NEC's cloud computing capabilities and advanced user and workflow management tools, result in a product that is truly unique to the marketplace.

"NEC aims to capitalize on these smart water management, big data, cloud service infrastructure, energy and security technologies in order to contribute to the effective utilization of water resources and accelerate the global promotion of smart city projects," said NEC's Yutaka Ukegawa, senior vice president.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the availability of this water leakage monitoring solution, featuring an optimal combination of Gutermann's globally acclaimed leak detection technologies and NEC's big data and cloud technologies," said Dr. Claude Gutermann, the founder of Gutermann. "We look forward to the global expansion of this groundbreaking solution based on the strong partnership between our two companies."